Dr. Patrick Wollner

AI strategist and entrepreneur, Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, driving AI adoption for clients globally

With degrees from the University of Cambridge in Information Engineering and Engineering Design, including a Masters in Computer Vision and a Ph.D. focused on human-centric design for mobile touchscreen devices, I bring a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic thinking to digital transformation initiatives.

My research at Cambridge's Engineering Design Centre focused on developing design methodologies for digital products and included leading projects such as "The Mephistophone," an interactive digital musical instrument featured at London's Royal Opera House. During this time, I co-founded and led the Cambridge University Science and Policy Exchange (CUSPE), connecting scientific research with policy-making, and authored papers addressing emerging technological policy issues.

Following academia, I ventured into entrepreneurship, founding design//digital, a consultancy focused on creating human-centered digital products and services. This led to co-founding Bambus.io, a fintech startup that provides financial solutions for real estate equity release, enabling partial property sales while preserving homeowner residency. As an Advisor to the European Commission on the Horizon 2020 initiative, I focused on collective awareness platforms and mobile computing. For over 15 years, I also served as a technology columnist for Austria's KURIER daily newspaper.

As Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, I guide global enterprises in leveraging AI technologies. My work focuses on spearheading strategic projects utilizing generative AI and agentic AI within industries, helping clients integrate these technologies to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness.

As an active voice in the AI community, I regularly contribute to strategic discourse, co-authoring articles and shaping discussions on AI's future role in industry and business.